Riverside Hike-in/paddle-in Campground

Open — Open year-round for primitive camping with advance reservations required. Check-in is 4:00 p.m., check-out is 1:00 p.m. Campers must access sites during daylight hours only. The park is closed two days in November and the first Saturday of December for resource management projects.

About

Riverside Hike-in/Paddle-in Campground at Caledon State Park provides one of Virginia's most peaceful and remote camping experiences. The six primitive tent sites are nestled along the shoreline of the Potomac River at Jones Pond, accessible only by hiking or biking 3.5 miles from the visitor center on established park trails, or by paddling in via kayak, canoe, or other non-motorized watercraft. The campground is part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Each site is thoughtfully designed with a framed, sand-filled pad for tent placement, a fire ring for campfires, a picnic table, and a lantern post. The campground includes a portable toilet, but campers must bring all their own drinking and cooking water as no potable water is available. All trash must be packed out upon departure. The remote location offers exceptional tranquility and the chance to experience the natural beauty of Caledon's old growth forests and Potomac River shoreline. Caledon State Park is a National Natural Landmark known for its old growth forest and serving as a summer home to many American bald eagles. While camping, visitors can explore ten hiking trails and four multi-use trails that wind through environmentally sensitive marshlands and picturesque wooded areas. The park's 2-mile Boyd's Hole Trail to the Potomac River is particularly popular. The visitor center, located in the historic Smoot House, features exhibits on bald eagles and the park's natural history.

Directions

From Fredericksburg, take Route 218 East for 23 miles. Caledon is on the left. Or take Route 3 east 18 miles to a left onto Route 206 for six miles, then turn left onto Route 218 and go about one mile. Park at the visitor center at 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, VA 22485, then hike or bike 3.5 miles to the campground. Alternatively, paddle in from the Potomac River to Jones Pond.

Nearby Campgrounds